Post by pwm437 on Apr 26, 2009 11:37:54 GMT 1
Just started reading a book called 'The Book of Glasgow Murders' by Donald M Fraser, and very good it is too.
One of the cases covered concerns a Glasgow policeman being shot dead at Parkhead Cross, I've got to admit I was not aware of it. The story according to Donald Fraser goes something like this;
James Campbell, a 42 year old policeman started his shift at Shettleston Police Station on Saturday 18th January, 1919.
He was assigned to patrol the Parkhead Cross area, and made his way there. At Parkhead Cross he spoke with a colleague who was on traffic duty, and shortly thereafter, set off on his beat, which included checking shop premises. He entered a close at 637 Great Eastern Road (we know this close today as 25 Tollcross Road) and made his way up the stairs, as the close had a high back. At the top of the stairs, just at the entrance to the back court he encountered a man, who was hurriedly trying to get past him. Campbell sensed the movement of others within the high back area, but didn't have any time to explore further, as he became involved in a scuffle with the man who had tried to get past him.
As both men rolled around on the stairs, two pistol shots were heard, and Constable Campbell found himself shot in the stomach, and just below his left ear. The man he had been grappling with made off.
Householders in the vicinity, heard the shots and went to investigate, and soon found Campbell bleading on the stair. He was taken into a nearby house and a doctor was summoned. His colleague who was on traffic duty at Parkhead Cross was also fetched, and he sent for further police assistance.
Campbell was able to give a description of his assailant, and was taken to the Royal Infirmary. He clung on to life until Monday 20th when he finally died.
Despite extensive investigations, the Glasgow force never found the killer of Constable Campbell, and his murder remains unsolved to this day. It is thought the men Campbell encountered may have been trying to force entry into a jeweller's shop next to the close, from the rear of the premises.
One of the cases covered concerns a Glasgow policeman being shot dead at Parkhead Cross, I've got to admit I was not aware of it. The story according to Donald Fraser goes something like this;
James Campbell, a 42 year old policeman started his shift at Shettleston Police Station on Saturday 18th January, 1919.
He was assigned to patrol the Parkhead Cross area, and made his way there. At Parkhead Cross he spoke with a colleague who was on traffic duty, and shortly thereafter, set off on his beat, which included checking shop premises. He entered a close at 637 Great Eastern Road (we know this close today as 25 Tollcross Road) and made his way up the stairs, as the close had a high back. At the top of the stairs, just at the entrance to the back court he encountered a man, who was hurriedly trying to get past him. Campbell sensed the movement of others within the high back area, but didn't have any time to explore further, as he became involved in a scuffle with the man who had tried to get past him.
As both men rolled around on the stairs, two pistol shots were heard, and Constable Campbell found himself shot in the stomach, and just below his left ear. The man he had been grappling with made off.
Householders in the vicinity, heard the shots and went to investigate, and soon found Campbell bleading on the stair. He was taken into a nearby house and a doctor was summoned. His colleague who was on traffic duty at Parkhead Cross was also fetched, and he sent for further police assistance.
Campbell was able to give a description of his assailant, and was taken to the Royal Infirmary. He clung on to life until Monday 20th when he finally died.
Despite extensive investigations, the Glasgow force never found the killer of Constable Campbell, and his murder remains unsolved to this day. It is thought the men Campbell encountered may have been trying to force entry into a jeweller's shop next to the close, from the rear of the premises.